San Leandro: Suspected dognapper arrested; puppies found safe

Recovered German Shepherd puppies shortly after they were rescued. (Courtesy San Leandro Police Department)

SAN LEANDRO -- A puppy snatcher was behind bars Wednesday after officer found him with two German shepherds that were stolen last week, police said.

On Wednesday morning, a woman tried to meet with San Leandro resident Richard Coleman, 30, after she noticed he was trying to sell her two stolen German Shepherd puppies on Craigslist, according to San Leandro police.

The woman, who has not been identified, confronted Coleman about the dogs, which were taken from her home in Livermore, but he ran off.

She then called San Leandro police. Investigators were able to get Coleman to a location where they arrested him.

Richard Coleman, 30, was arrested on suspicion of possession of stolen property and extortion after he allegedly tried selling two stolen puppies.
(Courtesy San Leandro Police Department)

Coleman had one of the puppies with him when he was arrested; after speaking with police, he took them to the second puppy. Both dogs were unharmed and reunited with their owner, police added.

Coleman was arrested on suspicion of possession of stolen property and extortion.